The Finish

The Finish

The finish line of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is located off Castray Esplanade on the River Derwent and some 12 nautical miles from the Iron Pot which marks the entrance to the Derwent Estuary. This 12 mile stretch of water has provided some exciting and frustrating moments for many competitors.

  • Hollywood Boulevard negotiating the sea mist off Tasman Island Hollywood Boulevard negotiating the sea mist off Tasman Island
  • Nikolas Delegat, Jim Delegat, James Delegat and Steve Cotton with the Tattersall's Cup Nikolas Delegat, Jim Delegat, James Delegat and Steve Cotton with the Tattersall's Cup
  • New Year's Eve Fireworks with some of the fleet at Constitution Dock New Year's Eve Fireworks with some of the fleet at Constitution Dock

A yacht with a substantial lead at the Iron Pot, running out of breeze within site of the finishing line, only to be overtaken by another yacht carrying the breeze up the river, has only been too common in the race. The River Derwent has many moods; it can provide howling westerly gales, rain swept southerlies or oily calm waters. The tide and currents over the river tests the skills of every competing sailor.

At the finish line, a flotilla of spectator craft follow the leading yachts to the finish and provide them with a rousing reception when the finishing canon fires. The surrounding foreshore and wharf areas are lined with spectators, waiting to catch a glimpse of the winner. It matters not whether it is in the wee hours of the morning or the middle of the day - a boisterous and enthusiastic crowd is on hand to clap and cheer the winning yacht to its berth.

And the cheering does not stop then, for each yacht that crosses the finish line is greeted with almost as much enthusiasm as the winner, as they make their way along Constitution Dock into their berth at Kings Pier.